Makaya McCraven shares Universal Beings doc along with E&F Sides soundtrack album

The 26-minute Universal Beings doc presents the story behind the making of Makaya McCraven's breakthrough album.

Here's the scoop...

An addendum to Makaya McCraven's critically-acclaimed 2018 release Universal Beings, which The New York Times said "affirms the drummer and beatsmith's position as a major figure in creative music," Universal Beings E&F Sides presents fourteen new pieces of organic beat music cut from the original sessions, prepared and produced by Makaya as a soundtrack to the Universal Beings documentary film. 

Directed by Mark Pallman, the Universal Beings documentary follows Makaya to Los Angeles, Chicago, London and New York City for a behind the scenes look into the making of the artists breakthrough album, taking the viewer through the story of Makaya's life, his process and the community of musicians that helped bring this project to life. The Universal Beings documentary and Universal Beings E&F Sides album were released July 31st 2020. Watch the Universal Beings documentary below followed  by the track listing and credits for Universal Beings E&F Sides album and audio clips of "Kings and Queens" featuring saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings and "Butterss Fly" featuring guitarist Jeff Parker and percussionist Carlos Niño. 

Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings E&F Sides

1. Everybody Cool

2. Half Steppin'

3. Mak Attack

4. The Hunt

5. Beat Science

6. Dadada

7. Isms

8. Traveling Space

9. Kings And Queens

10. The Loneliness

11. Her Name

12. Universal Beings Pt. 2

13. Butterss Fly

14. The Way Home

Credits:

Tracks 1, 5 & 11 recorded August 29th, 2017, at H010 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York. Featuring: 

Brandee Younger - harp 

Joel Ross - vibraphone 

Dezron Douglas - double bass 

Makaya McCraven - drums 

Tracks 2 & 14 recorded October 18th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Centre in Stoke Newington, London, UK. Featuring: 

Soweto Kinch - saxophone 

Kamaal Williams - keys 

Makaya McCraven - drums 

Tracks 3 & 4 recorded October 19th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Studios in Stoke Newington, London, UK. Featuring: 

Nubya Garcia - tenor saxophone 

Ashley Henry* - rhodes piano 

Daniel Casimir - double bass 

Makaya McCraven - drums 

*Ashley Henry appears courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited 

Tracks 6, 12 & 13 recorded January 30th, 2018, at Jeff Parker's house in Altadena, California. Featuring: 

Josh Johnson - alto saxophone 

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - violin 

Jeff Parker - guitar 

Anna Butterss - double bass 

Carlos Niño - percussion 

Makaya McCraven - drums 

Track 7 recorded June 18th, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois. Featuring: 

Junius Paul - double bass 

Makaya McCraven - drums 

Tracks 8, 9 & 10 recorded September 2nd, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois. Featuring: 

Shabaka Hutchings* - tenor saxophone 

Tomeka Reid - cello 

Junius Paul - double bass, percussion 

Makaya McCraven - drums 

*Shabaka Hutchings appears courtesy of Verve Label Group